Nov. 26, 2003

SOUTH BEND, IND - The University of Notre Dame scored three second half goals to break a halftime tie to post a 4-1 win over the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in the second round of the NCAA Men's Soccer Tournament here Wednesday (Nov. 26). The Irish took advantage of two UWM defensive mistakes to create the final two goal cushion. With the win Notre Dame, the No. 5 seed advances to the Sweet 16 with a 16-3-3 record. Milwaukee's season ends with 16-6-1 mark.

"Our inability to handle their high pressure and our inability to get the ball out of the back definitely hurt us," UWM head coach Louis Bennett said. "At this stage of the season your margin of error is much smaller and we just made too many mistakes tonight."

No. 3 Notre Dame struck first in a evenly played first half when Justin Detter scored his 12th goal of the season. Detter, who took a shot earlier, in the possession was left alone in front of the net where he beat Panther keeper Eric Mickschl to the near post. Milwaukee created several scoring chances the remainder of the half before eventually netting the equalizer in the 39th minute.

Notre Dame began the play with possession but turned it over to Cliff Ellsworth. Ellsworth found a streaking Antou Jallow. Jallow beat two defenders before eventually being fouled in the penalty box by defender Christopher High. The Panthers were then awarded a penalty kick which Kyle Lance took and drilled home past ND keeper Chris Sawyer. The two teams played even the rest of the half before heading to the locker room tied at one.

Notre Dame quickly changed the momentum and direction of the game early in the second half, scoring the eventual game winner just two minutes into the frame. Greg Martin caught the UWM defense pushing forward and pushed a pass to Kevin Goldthwaite. Goldthwaite sent a pass to Devon Prescod who chested the ball down and beat Mickschl.

UWM nearly tied the game just six minutes later on a great attempt by Tighe Dombrowski. Dombrowski gathered a ball from nearly 30 yards out and lined a shot towards the goal. However, Sawyer, the Big East Defensive Player of the Year, made an impressive diving save to snuff out the chance.

After the stop by Sawyer UWM needed to press forward which led to some counter attacks by the Irish. Notre Dame put the game out of reach in the 78th minute on a goal by Greg Martin. Martin collected another rebound and beat Mickschl, with assists going to both Prescod and Detter.

Notre Dame added its fourth goal in the 89th minute on a breakaway by Detter. The senior beat an offsides trap and beat Mickschl after taking a long pass from Kevin Goldthwaite. The four goals are the most given up by UWM this season and the three-goal differential was also the worst defeat of the year.

"Notre Dame is a very good team and they were very organized," UWM junior Antou Jallow said. "They just handled the details tonight and took care of business. That was the difference in the game."

Milwaukee will return 18 letterwinners and eight starters next season, including two-time All-Horizon League performer Jallow and captain Khaled El-Ahmad.